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President Donald Trump reportedly declined to say whether he would use military force to take control of Greenland, as tensions rise over his efforts to acquire the semi-autonomous Danish territory.
In a brief telephone interview with NBC News on Monday, Trump was asked directly whether he would use force to seize Greenland. “No comment,” he said.
Trump has intensified his push in recent days, arguing that Greenland is vital for US national security.
On Saturday, he said Washington would impose 10% tariffs on Denmark and seven other European countries until an agreement is reached for Greenland’s acquisition.
Trump also linked the Greenland dispute to his failure to win the Nobel Peace Prize, according to a text message he sent Sunday to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
The message was released by Støre’s office under Norway’s public disclosure laws.
In the message, Trump said that because Norway did not award him the Nobel Peace Prize for what he described as stopping eight wars, he no longer felt obligated to think “purely of peace,” though he added that peace would remain predominant.
Norway was among the countries targeted by the new tariffs, which Trump said would take effect Feb. 1. Trump also dismissed claims that Norway does not influence the Nobel Peace Prize, saying the country “totally controls it,” despite assertions that the decision is made independently by a parliamentary committee.
In a statement on Monday, Støre said Norway fully supports Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland, stressing that the territory is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Trump, however, criticized European leaders for opposing his Greenland initiative, saying Europe should focus instead on the war between Russia and Ukraine.
He reiterated that Greenland is necessary to protect U.S. national security from external threats.
Asked whether he would follow through on imposing tariffs if no Greenland deal is reached, Trump said he would do so “100%.”
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